Six Weeks Later
Ross was still in the shower. Kit waited feverishly for him to come to bed. When she saw his tall physique in the semidarkness of the master bedroom, it was a surreal moment with the silhouette of the Grand Teton framing him. She reached for her new husband, hungry to belong to him forever.
“My love,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I didn’t think our wedding night would ever come.”
“I know. I love you,” she cried as they began giving and receiving pleasure she hadn’t thought possible. They clung to each other throughout the night, living to make each other happy.
Kit was shocked how late it was when she awakened the next morning tangled up with him, their bed covers askew. She couldn’t describe this kind of fulfillment. You had to experience it.
You had to be married to Ross.
She lifted her hand where a gold wedding band with a diamond dazzled her eyes. Mrs. Ross Livingston. What joy!
All of a sudden he coughed. He did it in his sleep. It wounded her every time. She doubted she’d ever get used to it. Ross teased her, it was his badge of courage, but it was a lot more than that. It was an honor to be married to him. She knew that, and she was determined to be the best wife on earth.
She felt him stir, then he was kissing her again. “Good morning, sweetheart.” He pulled her on top of him. “This is what life is all about.”
She was too breathless to answer him.
An hour later he opened his eyes and stared into hers. He played with her hair. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“That the ranch house made a beautiful place for a wedding and I could lie here with you forever.”
She was aware of time passing. They only had time for a two-day honeymoon. Kit had to be back to work at the department store on Monday. But in reality, since she’d first met Ross, she felt as if she’d been on a continual honeymoon.
Carson and Tracy had insisted the newlyweds stay at their house, and they’d moved in the upstairs of the ranch house for the weekend. Andy was sleeping with Johnny in Buck’s old apartment. The guys had arranged for all the cabins to be available this weekend for the wedding guests that included Nila and her family.
“I loved your family, Ross, especially Georgianna.”
“I knew you two would get along.”
“The look of pride on your father’s face when you told him the well was a big producer was priceless.”
Ross grinned. “It was, wasn’t it? But the big shock was seeing your in-laws show up at the last minute.”
“That was a shock all right.” Kit and Ross had sent out invitations, but she’d never received an answer from her in-laws and hadn’t expected one. “The fact that they came proves to me no one is all bad. They came for Andy, and I know it made him happy.”
“I’m sure it did. They should have come, not only to honor their son’s boy, but the fabulous mother who raised him. This was the way to do it.”
“Yes. I have to tell you I’m so glad I didn’t have to sell the ring. One day I’ll give it to Andy so he can give it to the woman he loves.”
“It’ll have great meaning knowing his father gave it to you. I’ve been waiting until now to give you something else. It’s an envelope Charles handed Willy to give to you.”
“Did you open it?’
“No, darling. It’s for you. I’ll get it.” He slid out of bed and put on a robe. In a minute he came back in the bedroom with it and handed it to her.
She opened the envelope with her father-in-law’s letterhead. Inside she saw a check made out to her for $2,000,000. He’d put in a note. Winn would have wanted you and Andy to have this. C.
It was hard to swallow. “My grandmother used to say, faith precedes the miracle.”
He covered her face with kisses. “You’ve taught me that. Faith brought you here. I don’t know what I ever did to deserve you, but I’m going to hold on to you for dear life. You and Andy are my life now, Kit.”
She threw her arms around his neck. “You’re my miracle. I’ll love you till the day I die and beyond.”
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Keep reading for an excerpt from A RANCHER’S CHRISTMAS by Ann Roth.